Engine-starter



M. P. WHITNEY.

ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-25, 1920.

1,396,695. Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

. the shaft and is also provide my invention is to construction of suc UNITED ST/ATES PATENT or; ICE.

MAURICE P. WHITNEY, 0i ELHIBA, NEW YORK ASSIQNOR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE GOIPANY, OF ELMIBA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 01' NEW YORK- ENGINE-STARTER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known'that I, MAURICE P. WHITNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine- Starters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a starter forengines such as internal combustion engines and has more particularly relation to the drive or transmission operatively connecting the prime mover such as an electric motor with a part of the engine to be started such as the flywheel thereof. The object of rovide a simple eflicient h a drive and of the type in which reduction 1gearing is employed.

In the drawing igure 1 is a sectional elevation of a starter apparatus embodying mfy invention and Fig. 2 an end view there 0 with a portion broken away.

Referring to the embodiment of my in-, vention which I have selected and herein shown for the purpose of making a clear and definite description of my invention the same comprises a prime mover such as -an electric motor indicated at 1, an engine member or flywheel 2, and the drive or transmission which connects therebetween and which constitutes my invention. The motor frame has an end plate or cover 3 secured thereto in suitable manner as by means of screws 4 and having a portion depending below the lower line of the motor. A case 5 which substantially incloses the drive is secured in suitable manner as by the screws 6 to the plate 3.

The driving shaft 7 which is here the extended armature shaft of the motor is provided with an inner bearing 8 in the plate 3 and an outer bearing 9 in the casing 5. Upon this shaft there is mounted a pinion 10 capable of rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof. According to the construction being described this pinion has a smooth bore adapted to slide upon the smooth ortion 11 of with a hub or sleeve extension 12 preferably integral with the pinion body and operatively connected with the shaft 7 in suitable manner as by means of the splines 13. This pinion has a comparatively wide face and is prospecmcation 0! Letters ratent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

Application filed Augult 25, 1920. Serial No. 406,038.

gear 17 which has spiral gear teeth and with which the pinion 10 is always in mesh in every shifted position of such pinion owing to the wide face thereof. Upon this shaft 14 there is mounted a driving member which is here in the form of a pinion 18, having teeth adapted to engage the teeth 2 of the flywheel 2 but which are normally out of engagement therewith as shown in the drawing. This pinion is mounted on the shaft 14 so as to rotate therewith and to move longitudinally thereof and thereb engage the flywheel teeth and subsequent y rotate the same through its driving connection with such shaft. In the present instance, this pinion is splined onto the shaft 14 by means of the splines 19, and has a longitudinal sleeve or hub 20 which extends toward the gear 17 and which is operatively connected with a shell 21, mounted to slide at its inner end upon the smooth portion of the shaft 14. The sleeve 20 and shell 21 have a telescoping fit and a yielding longitudinal movement, one with respect to the other, by means of the spring 22 and of a pin and slot connection. In the present instance a pin 23 is mounted in the shell 21 and the cooperating slot 24 is formed in the sleeve 20. I

The sleeve 12 and the shell 21 are operatively connected so that shifting movements of the sleeve 12 shall be automatically transmitted to the shell. In the present instance the construction and arrangement are such that the shifting of the sleeve 12 longi tudinally in one direction causes a shifting of the shell longitudinally in the opposite direction in order that the driving member or pinion 18 may be automatically advanced into mesh with the flywheel and may be automatically withdrawn therefrom when the engine starts on its own power. This operating means which is located between the sleeve and shell and between the two shafts 7 and 14 comprises in the present instance, a rock shaft 25' having its bearings in'the side walls of the casing 5 and extendof the shell 21. By reference these ends of the arms are pro-vied with rollers 30 and L The result of this shifting 31 which enter said grooves respectively.

Describing a cycle of operation and starting with the normal position of the parts indicated in the drawing, when'the electricr motor is operated the pinion 10 will be automatically shifted to the left to the dotted line position by reason of. the spiral gear teeth on such pinion and on the gear 17, the latter gear rotating in a fixed lane. of the pinion is to rock the shaft and thereby simultaneouslyshift the pinion 18 to the right and into mesh with the flywheel, by reason of the operating OOIlIlGCtlOIL between the yoke 27 and such pinion 18 provided with it by the shell 21 and sleeve 20. A driving connection is now provided from the motor to the flywheel through the shaft 7 sleeve.12,

inion 10, gear 17 shaft 14 and pinion 18. llVhen the engine has started on its own power and the gear 17 thereupon becomes a driving gear as respects the pinion 10, such latter pinion will automatically shift to the right to its normal position and 1n such shifting movement it will automatically withdraw the pinion 18 out of mesh with the flywheel by reason of the rock shaft and the yokes which connect the sleeve 12 and the shell 21. p

In the event that the'teeth of the pinion 18 should abut the flywheel teeth end to end jamming is prevented by the yielding connection between the shell 21 and the pinion sleeve or hub 20. When such abutting occurs the pinion 18 will be stopped in its longitudinal movement but the shell 21 will continue to move or slide on the sleeve 20 against the tension of the spring 22. Upon the first rotative movement of the shaft 14 the pinion 18 will be turned so as to bring its teeth into register with the flywheel teeth whereupon such pinion will be projected by the pressure of the spring 22 into full mesh with such flywheel.

I claim:

1. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such .started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the driving member, said means including a rock shaft and connections between it and the pinion and driving member.

3. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven. shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the driving member, said, shafts being arranged parallel to each other, and said means being located between them.

4. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the driving member, said means includin a yielding device cooperating with the driving member.

5. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement with such engine member 1,aee,ees

and disengagement therefrom, a shell mounted axially with respect to the driven shaft and'operatively connected with the driving member, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pin- 1on to theshell.

11, engine starter drive comprisin driv' g and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on he driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotar movement with such engine member and isengagement therefrom, a shell mounted axially with respect to the driven shaft andoperatively connected with the driving member, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the shell, saidsleeve being yieldingly connected with the driving member.

7. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a. driving member adapted to engage a. member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, a shell mounted axially with respectsto the driven shaft, and adapted to impart its longitudinal movements to the driving member, a spring between the driving member and shell, and means for transmitting the longitudinal movements of the pinion to the driving member.

8. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudlnal movement thereof for engagement with such enginemember and disengagement therefrom,

said driving member being provided with a hub, ashell mounted to slide on such hub and operatively connected therewith, and an operating connection between the pinlon and shell. r

9. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a. pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movementsthereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the plnion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the en ine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, sald drlvmg member being provided with a hub, a shell operatively connected therewith, and a sprmg between the. shell and p1n1on, and an operating connection between the pinion and shell.

1() An engine starter drive comprising driving anddri'ven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and, automatic longitudinal move ments thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started an mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such eng ne member and disengagement therefrom, sa d driving member being splined to the driven shaft and being provided with a hub, a shell yieldingly connected with the hub, and an 0 crating connectionbetween the P1111011 an shell.

11-. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the-engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement with such engine member and disengagement. therefrom, a shell mounted axially with respect to the driven shaft and operatively connected with the driving member, and means for transmitting the lonwith the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a membery'of the engine to be "started and mounted'on thefdriven shaft for rotary movement with such engine member and disengagement-'therefrom, a shell mounted axially withrespect to the driven shaft and operatively connected with the driving member, and'means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the shell, comprising a rock shaft and yokes connected therewith and operatively engaging the pinion and shell.

13. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the en ine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, a shell mounted axially with respect to the driven shaft and operatively connected with the driving member, andmeans for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the shell, comprising a pair of oscillating connected yokes, said pinion having a hub provided with acircumferential groove engaged by one yoke, and the shell having a circumferential groove engaged by the other yoke.

14. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the driving member, said driving shaft having a smooth portion at one end and splines at the other end, and said pinion having a body adapted to slide on such smooth portion and a hub adapted to engage such splines.

15. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adaptment therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the driving member, said pinion and gear having spiral gear teeth and the pinion having a wide face so as to" be constantly in mesh with the gear.

17. An engine starter drive comprising driving and driven shafts, a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and automatic longitudinal movements thereon in both directions, a gear mounted on the driven shaft and meshing with the pinion, a drivin member adapted to engage a member of tie engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and means for transmitting the longitudinal shifting movements of the pinion to the driving member, said pinion and gear having spiral gear teeth, and said driving member being a pinion with spur teeth.

MAURICE P. WHITNEY. 

